Harrow Council has agreed how it will fund its services in the coming year after a long and dramatic evening of debate, secret negotiations and late night takeaway pizza.

An agreement was reached after four and a half hours by the Tory administration and Independent Labour, who passed council leader Susan Hall's budget with several amendments.

This means council tax will be frozen, Under One Sky will now go ahead when it seemed doomed, free parking will be implemented in Harrow and more than £500,000 will be invested in both environmental services and adult social care.

But the 62 members could not agree on the budget plan for hours, with Ms Hall asking the Mayor of Harrow Nana Asante for a recess where she and Independent Labour's Thaya Idaikkadar went away for closed-door discussions.

Upon their return to the chamber at 11.10pm, Ms Hall announced that she was 'mortified' that an agreement could not be reached, and it seemed that Harrow would fail to pass a budget.

If the authority were to not pass a budget, it would cost taxpayers £100,000 each week until one is passed.

Conservative councillor and former leader of the council Richard Romain rose at this point and said: "This is a corporate failure and a pathetic indictment on each of us.

"At this moment in time, there are only three words that I have for you all: Pass. A. Budget. It is what we are elected for. It is why we stood for election. It is what we are paid to do."

Labour leader Councillor David Perry then called for the Independent Labour leader to sit down with him and Ms Hall and agree a deal.

The Observer understands however that while the leaders left the chamber to discuss matters, Mr Idaikkadar refused to have Mr Perry involved in the negotiations due to their long-running personal dispute.

At 11.40pm, after officers had been running in and out of the chamber - one clutching a calculator - the councillors returned and Independent Labour voted in unison with the Tories to agree a deal which is based on the Conservative budget but will see a return for Under One Sky and £300,000 to be invested in services for mental health for children.

Ms Hall told the Observer after the meeting: "I am grateful to both Labour and Independent Labour groups for being open to discussion and passing this budget."

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The relieved leader added: "We had no intention of leaving here tonight until we sorted this out. We have come to a reasonable compromise and now have the budget in place to deliver what residents want: A cleaner, safer and fairer borough."